TN sisters born without teeth set for corrective procedure

Two sisters from Tennessee are about to receive the gift of a lifetime. They were born with a rare disorder that prevents them from growing teeth, but a Nashville surgeon is helping them smile.

Alissa Howard, 10, and her sister, Miracle, 16, have a condition called ectodermal dysplasia, which affects about 10,000 Americans.

The sisters have been teased by other kids for not having the ability to grow teeth.

"When I was younger, I got hurt, but the older I got, people said it didn't matter. It's not going to affect me when I'm older. It's not going to affect me. I let it roll off my back," Miracle Howard said.

Now, thanks to a Nashville doctor, that's all about to change. The 5th and 11th graders are about to undergo a massive procedure that will enhance their lives, both physically and aesthetically.

"This particular case tugged at my heart strings. When I met the girls, they were so happy and alive and engaged. We all fell in love with them, and I promised them I would do everything I could to enhance their lives," said oral surgeon Dr. Robin Daniel.

But it's been a long time coming. The girls' mom, Stephanie Howard, has experienced the nightmare with them, not knowing whether the problem could ever be fixed.

"Most insurance don't recognize it as a medical condition, which it should be considered a medical condition," Stephanie Howard said. "We would never be able to afford it on our own. So we're very thankful."

The family has spent months driving the more than three-hour trip back and forth from their hometown of Jasper, TN, to Nashville, but it is all well worth it.